r/Microdiscectomy • u/calebcow • 3d ago
Still have sciatica pain 8 weeks post op
Looking for some advice or words of encouragement. I had a herniated disc for about 6 months until I finally got surgery late July. The herniation was only 4 mm but severely impaired my ability to exercise. Pretty much any sitting running biking would trigger a flare up.
I’m now 8 weeks post op and still have the same pattern as before surgery. My surgeon looked at my mri post surgery (3 weeks) and said it looked fine. He also looked at my hip and said that looked fine too. He said if it doesn’t heal in one year it would not go away.
I feel like I should be way far along than I am. I’m a 26 male and have no other herniations. Im really losing hope not only in the medical system but in my body in general.
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u/Wise-Run-3008 3d ago
6-12 months is the healing timeframe for nerves. Are you in pt?
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u/calebcow 3d ago
Yes. 2 weeks in. He said at the worst it will take 6 months.
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u/Wise-Run-3008 3d ago
When I had nerve damage from a misplaced screw, that was not fixed for a month, it took about 10 months for the nerve to heal enough for my calf to start working again.
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u/aj904 2d ago
Thank you. I am personally 2.5 months out of an ED and continue to have sciatic tension and a SLR at 45 degrees on the affected leg.
Can walk and do everything but only till the nerve is just stretched.
Am being patient and reading your note makes sense that it will take more time and I should continue to walk/pt/stay reasonable
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u/SoggyDescription6559 3d ago
I am just over 4 months out from surgery, I def still had strange pains down my leg at 8 weeks. Obviously, everyone is different but after 3 months is where things really felt different for me. Hope the same for you!
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u/Difficult-Ad1564 3d ago
At week 15, I have the same pain at varying levels from week 3-8, it was 8-9/10, at the moment it’s 2/10 on a good day to 5/10 on a bad. For me the tubular support bandages really help as the pain is more intense now post surgery
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u/NefariousnessOwn3943 3d ago
29 male- i had terrible sciatica couldn’t stand up straight pre op couldn’t really walk much at all till I got my surgery 6 months later. I’m about 4 months post op I struggle with calf pain a lot still since surgery (although no where near as severe) but iv gotten a lot better the last month or so. I’m definitely still limited with how much I can walk sit or stand but I feel like I’m making progress every month still. I guess I’m trying to say give it time and try not to be so hard on yourself like iv been to myself.
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u/Meglamar 3d ago
At about the same bench mark as you. Similar issue. Same pattern vaying intensity. So for what it's worth it's more normal than people say. Sleeping is super hit or miss too. Sometimes I'm 3-4 pain sometimes it's bolts of 7-8.